Public Safety and Mental Health Reporting Act

H.R. 3621, the Public Safety and Mental Health Reporting Act, would require the Department of Justice (specifically the Attorney General) to collect and annually publish data on interactions between law enforcement officers and people with mental illness. The Attorney General would work with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish guidelines for how data are collected, ensure the data are used only for research or statistical purposes and are de-identified to protect individuals, and provide an annual public summary to Congress. The bill authorizes funding for this program for fiscal years 2026 through 2036. The term “mental illness” is defined by reference to an existing federal statute (the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act). Sponsor and status: Introduced in the House by Mr. Bell with several co-sponsors; referred to the Judiciary Committee. The bill is in its introductory stage and has not become law.